1940'S CHIPPEWA ENGINEER BOOTS (NOT HORSEHIDE)

Brand: Chippewa
Circa: 1940's
Color: Black
Size: "9 - 9 1/2D"
Length: 11 3/4"
Width: 4 1/4"
Soles/Heels: Leather
Leather: Advertised as "Horsehide," but actually Select Oil Tanned Cowhide Leather
Hardware: Nickel, embedded/flushed heel caps
Sold for: $1,150 / 1 Bid

This is a great pair of Vintage Engineer Boots with the unmistakable profile of vintage "Chips" and not a bad price to boot.  These look freshly polished with restored/refurbished soles/heels.  Unfortunately the polishing more than likely covered up some amazing patina, but will resurface over a short period of time as the chemical wears away.

Through my research over the recent years, I've come to learn that Chips were made with select Cowhide rather than the Horsehide folks believe them to be.  The company's select cowhide along with their tanning choice of the day (they've given various names to this relatively simple process) and decades of aging leaves the leather stiff yet pliable, thereby leading collectors to believe they are Horsehide.

www.vintageengineerboots.com

Notice the wrinkles on the shaft consistent with all early Chips.